E.J. Dionne on Building a Democratic Coalition in the Trump Era
JUDJ-Prepared Summary from July 9, 2025 | Code Red: How Progressives and Moderates Can Unite to Save the Country. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the speaker.
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, E.J. Dionne, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and longtime Washington Post columnist, reflected on the Democratic Party’s internal divisions and the urgent need for unity in the face of rising authoritarianism. Drawing from his book Code Red: How Progressives and Moderates Can Unite to Save Our Country, Dionne offered a roadmap for how the party can reconcile ideological differences and build a winning coalition—one rooted in clear messaging, younger leadership, and pocketbook priorities that resonate across a broad spectrum of voters.
After the Defeat: Democratic Fractures and Missed Opportunities
The conversation began with a hard look at the 2024 election, in which Kamala Harris and the Democratic ticket suffered a defeat that exposed lingering fractures within the party. While many Democrats agree on the threat posed by Trump’s return, Dionne acknowledged that infighting and finger-pointing followed the loss. Questions swirled about Biden’s late decision to step down, Harris’s response to cultural wedge issues, and whether progressives or moderates were to blame.
But Dionne cautioned against overstating those divisions. When it came time to vote on the GOP’s sweeping legislative package—including deep Medicaid cuts and expanded ICE funding—Democrats were unified in opposition, from centrists to progressives. The real challenge, Dionne suggested, lies not in ideology but in how Democrats communicate and connect with voters.
Lessons from Zoran Mamdani’s Surprise Victory
One of the most compelling parts of the conversation focused on New York City Councilmember Zoran Mamdani’s stunning primary win over a well-established Democrat. Dionne called Mamdani “a generational talent” who exemplified how Democrats—especially those on the left—can win by meeting voters where they are.
Mamdani didn’t run on abstract ideology. He campaigned on concrete, relatable promises like rent freezes, free childcare, and free public transit. He also went into neighborhoods where Trump had gained support—especially working-class Latino areas—and asked voters what they cared about. The answer was nearly universal: the cost of living.
“He said we should listen more and lecture less,” Dionne recounted, noting that Mamdani’s approach cut through the stereotype of Democrats as out-of-touch elites. The takeaway, he argued, is that tone and clarity matter as much as policy. Voters want leaders who are angry on their behalf—not at them.
Reclaiming the Working Class—and the Narrative
Dionne emphasized that Democratic losses are not limited to white working-class voters. Latino working-class communities and younger Black men have also drifted toward the GOP in recent years, driven less by ideology and more by disconnection and frustration. Voters in struggling towns, Dionne said, often feel abandoned—and they’re open to populist appeals, even from someone like Trump.
To reverse that trend, Democrats must speak clearly and directly to economic concerns. Candidates like Mamdani on the left, and moderates like Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill in the center, offer models of how to do this. Despite different styles, all focus on affordability, job creation, and restoring trust in government.
A Path Forward: Hope, Clarity, and Coalition
Looking ahead to 2028, Dionne sees a hunger for younger, more authentic leadership. He mentioned names like Chris Murphy, Josh Shapiro, and Pete Buttigieg as possible standard-bearers for a new Democratic era. But beyond personalities, he stressed the need for clarity in messaging.
“Make a few clear offers,” Dionne advised. Whether it’s free community college or rent relief, voters need to hear simple, credible commitments. This approach, he noted, works whether you’re a democratic socialist or a center-left pragmatist.
The Case for Unity
While Dionne is often hopeful by nature, he acknowledged that this moment has tested even his optimism. Still, he remains convinced that progressives and moderates need each other—and that their shared commitment to democracy, fairness, and problem-solving is more important than their disagreements.
“The only way to win,” he concluded, “is to unite.”
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.